Must Love Breeches by Angela Quarles (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

To be completely honest, I wasn't expecting much from this one. Actually, I was kind of expecting it to be drivel that would quickly hit the DNF list. Oh my goodness, how pleasantly mistaken I was! Must Love Breeches  was a delight and put some fun twists on the whole time travel romance schtick with the added bonus of including Ada Byron Lovelace (before the Lovelace) as a main secondary character. My geekish heart absolutely loved that! I will definitely be looking for more Quarles and, hopefully, the other books are even half as good as this one. Amazon Description:

She's finally met the man of her dreams - too bad he lives in a different century! A devoted history buff finds the re-enactment of a pre-Victorian ball in London a bit boring...until a mysterious artifact sweeps her back in time to the real event, and into the arms of a compelling British lord. Isabelle Rochon can't believe it when she finds herself in the reality of 1830's London high society. She's thrilled to witness events and people she's studied. But she may also have to survive without modern tools or career - unless she can find a way to return to her time. And then there's Viscount Lord Montagu, a man whose embrace curls her toes, but who has a dangerous agenda of his own. Lord Phineas Montagu is on a mission to avenge his sister, and he'll stop at nothing, including convincing an alluring stranger to pose as his respectable fiancé. He's happy to repay her by helping her search for her stolen calling card case that brought her back in time. But he doesn't bargain for the lady being his intellectual match - or for the irresistible attraction that flames between them. They're both certain they know what they want, but as passion flares, Phineas must keep both himself and Isabella safe from unseen opponents, and she must choose when and where her heart belongs. Can they ever be together for good? Don't miss the time travel romance USA Today called "a delicious twist on historical drama and romance." Friday 56 (today is from the 56% mark of the ebook) is hosted at Freda's Voice & Book Beginnings (share the first few sentences) is at Rose City Reader.

New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle by Liz Eeles (Tuesday Intros & Teaser Tuesday)

It took me a bit to get into this, but I'm awfully glad that I stuck with it. I was a bit flummoxed at first -- expecting a book about a cafe, and then it started with the main character working in a bookstore! I was a bit heartbroken thinking about having to give that up as I so love books about bookstores ... but the cafe ended up being part of the bookstore so Eeles redeemed herself in that matter. It never really became a book that I couldn't bear to be parted with, so it almost got three stars ... but Callie's grandfather, Stanley, is worth an extra star all on his own. I hope we see more of him in future visits/books!

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by I'd Rather Be At The Beach. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

i am Elephant, i am Butterfly by Leslie Tall Manning (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

 Amazon description:

An absolutely lovely book. I loved Simone and cheered her and Phoebe (and the others, of course) on from the get-go ... even when they were breaking my heart. Maybe especially then. I felt like the second third or so was a bit rushed which knocked out a star.

Friday 56 (today is from the 56% mark of the ebook) is hosted at Freda's Voice & Book Beginnings (share the first few sentences) is at Rose City Reader.

Lady Helena Investigates by Jane Steen (Tuesday Intros & Teaser Tuesday)

Amazon description:

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by I'd Rather Be At The Beach. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

I do so love a good historical mystery with a bit of romance and a strong female lead ... although it takes a bit of convincing on Lady Helena's part. The sixth of seven children, she's referred to as "Baby" by her siblings and treated as such -- even by her younger brother. Being newly widowed (was it an accidental death or murder, though?), she's determined to stand on her own. I love that even though there is the mystery angle, this is just as much or more about her learning how to do that with so much that could stand in her way. I can't wait to see where the series takes her next!

Vivian Conroy's A Testament to Murder (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

I'm fairly certain that I have already found my favorite book of 2019 and Vivian Conroy's A Testament to Murder is it. It has the twists and turns and red herrings and humor and dysfunctional family dynamics that I love from so many novels written in the 1920s and 30s. I could just see Christie, Wentworth or Allingham curled up in a cozy chair with a cuppa flipping through the pages with smiles on their faces. In fact, it's a perfect homage to my beloved Dame Agatha Christie and I'm certain that the ending would have her begging for more. I may have even audibly gasped at the conclusion, drawing rather odd looks from those around me. Had I but known, I might not have finished it when I probably should have been working. (Nah .... I still probably would have .... I just would have worked harder at muffling my gasps!)

From the Amazon description:

And my Book Beginnings & Friday 56 teasers:

Friday 56 (today is from the 56% mark of the ebook) is hosted at Freda's Voice

& Book Beginnings (share the first few sentences) is at Rose City Reader.